A delegation of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) visited Italy on 7-11 April 2025 to evaluate progress made in the protection of national minorities. The delegation had meetings across Italy with representatives of the central and local government, as well as civil society and representatives of national minorities.

The delegation met also with Friuli Venezia Giulia’s Regional Councillor for Local Autonomies, the Mayor of Trieste, the Director of Regional Agency for Friulian Language and other stakeholders to discuss efforts to protect minority languages through education, access to public services and dedicated policies. As one of Italy’s autonomous regions, Friuli Venezia Giulia officially recognised German, Slovenian and more recently Friulian as minority languages.

The Regional Councillor highlighted relevant initiatives such as language service desks and school programmes, including Tarvisio’s new quadrilingual school (Italian, Friulian, Slovenian, German). During this year, Friuli Venezia Giulia will host conferences on minority language protection, culminating in a final strategy meeting.

This is the sixth visit of the Advisory Committee to Italy. Following this visit, the Advisory Committee will draw up its sixth opinion on the implementation of the Framework Convention in Italy containing specific findings and recommendations for a short and mid-long term follow-up. The sixth opinion is expected to be adopted and published in 2026.